Best Cities To Visit In The Netherlands ( Amsterdam)

Amsterdam is a fantastic place to visit, with plenty to keep you busy both day and night. However, it is growing increasingly crowded and unruly. It seemed that not a week goes by without reports about overtourism in the Dutch capital, and Amsterdam is now actively attempting to repel tourists.

1. Rotterdam

Aside from its vibrant art scene, Rotterdam is a foodie’s paradise, with bustling markets like as the Markthal and Fenix Food Factory. Rotterdam has unusual architecture due to the destruction of much of the city during WWII. Many local architects were allowed free rein when it came to rebuilding the city, resulting in Rotterdam’s vivid and unique look that seamlessly merges new and old.

2. Haarlem

If you want to remain close to Amsterdam, Haarlem is the finest option. This picturesque city is a 16-minute train trip from the capital and significantly less expensive to dwell in; many Amsterdam residents relocate here to commute to the capital, but Haarlem itself has much to offer. You could easily spend an hour in the Frans Hals Museum learning more about this renowned Dutch painter. Outside of the city, there are endless tulip fields to use as a backdrop for your holiday photos; just make sure to ask the farmers for permission first!

3. ‘s-Hertogenbosch

Den Bosch is the ideal city break for anyone wishing to immerse themselves in history and culture, with renowned museums such as the North Brabant Museum and Design Museum Den Bosch, as well as medieval architecture and defended city walls. People from all around the region come here for the markets on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Make sure to try a classic Bossche bol, which is essentially a giant profiterole wrapped in chocolate.

4. Maastricht

This list would be incomplete without a visit to the South of the Netherlands. Maastricht, with its Gothic spires and cobblestone streets, looks like something out of a fairytale. The city, which borders Belgium, provides a unique blend of Dutch and Belgian culture and architecture. Shop for books at Boekhandel Dominicanen, which is housed in a restored medieval church, before heading to Bosch Brewery for a tour and classic beer sampling.

5. Arnhem

Visiting Arnhem will allow you to combine your city break with a touch of nature, as the city is surrounded by countryside and situated beside the Veluwe, one of the Netherlands’ largest national parks. Look out for wildlife like deer, foxes and Scottish Highland cattle, which were brought here to maintain the heathland. The city itself is known for its vibrant art scene: Arnhem’s Museum of Modern Art is a must-visit, as is the Netherlands Open Air Museum, which showcases traditional Dutch farmhouses and windmills. Get to know the city by wandering its shopping streets or joining a guided street art tour.

6. Utrecht

Instead of visiting Amsterdam, why not head to ‘Little Amsterdam’ instead? With its rows of cute Dutch houses and terraces perched along the canals, Utrecht feels like a shrunk-down version of Amsterdam without the crowds of tourists. The best way to explore Utrecht is through a canal boat tour.

7. Ameland

Ameland, officially a municipality, is the best of the Dutch Wadden Islands. This little stretch of heaven, which includes four settlements and two nature reserves, appears to have been pulled out of time. Visiting Ameland will makes you feel like the main character in a movie, walking pensively across sand dunes, marshes, and woodlands.